Is it too early yet to start taking bets on how quickly Federer starts looking for signs of rain during the match, or when he dishes out the first insult to the umpire?

Also, do we want Carlos Ramos in the chair, like at the Olympic final, or Wayne Thingy (I can never remember his name!) as in the USO final. I'm thinking Wayne, because he did the Olympic semi too, and this is a semi, although he'll need to be on the ball.

This match could go either way. I mean Federer never plays badly, he sometimes meets a superior in Andy, Novak and Rafa. He can beat anyone else on any given day.

It'll all be down to Andy, if he can play his VERY best, aggressive tennis. Fedface is almost as fresh as a daisy, like Andy. Good thing Jo-Wilfried made him sweat for 5 sets, but he'll be well recovered by Friday.

I am off on Friday, so I can watch it Yeahhh

I disagree that never plays badly - but it is definitely very rare. He is very consistent and whilst he definitely has the ability to step it up (like at Wimbledon), a lot of it also comes down to how well Andy (or Novak or Rafa or Tsonga or Berdych) are playing on the day,

I am actually expecting Murray to win, in a maximum of 4 sets, i think he'll be too solid and at times spectacular for Federer.

If Fed won it wouldn't be suprising obviously seeing as he is the GOAT but right now on an Outdoor HC I think the sheer consistency of Murray will wear him down. Lets face it Murray and Djokovic are basically walls out there on HC like Nadal is on clay. Fed needs to roll back the years on this one, if he's to win here.

I have Andy to go to 5 sets but I do not care how he wins as long as he wins. Thought Fedfaceooked tired and stressed last night. Where has this cheesy interview technique come from? Fedface looks and sounds ridiculous. Come on Andy prayers to the usual suspects and additional prayers for Ross

Posted by The Mad Hatter: [/quote] I disagree that never plays badly - but it is definitely very rare. He is very consistent and whilst he definitely has the ability to step it up (like at Wimbledon), a lot of it also comes down to how well Andy (or Novak or Rafa or Tsonga or Berdych) are playing on the day. [/quote]

Of course, you're right. Never is too absolute, rarely is better!Neither does RF go AWOL during matches, though he can go through a bad patch. Andy still seems to have these dips in the middle of a match, or get off to a bad start (less so these days), but it will be a battle for sure! Andy should be able to outlast Roger in a 5 setter, but he mustnt get behind in points.

I have just sent a complaint to the AO website.You can submit comments etc on your iPad. My complaint was about Andy not having played a night match, and how everything possible is done to favor Federer. I made a point of saying that they do realise that Federer will retire eventually heaven help them. And what in the hell will they do then

I'm not making a prediction. Andy's first serve and movement are superb, but his second serve and backhand are severely lacking at the moment. 29% of second serve points won against Chardy is worrying. Another positive though is Andy's match play: no sets dropped despite not being at his best, and he took most of his break points in his last match. He looks so canny in this tournament.

The only scoreline that I think WONT happen is Federer in three. Aside from that, I have no idea what is going to happen.

I'm not making a prediction. Andy's first serve and movement are superb, but his second serve and backhand are severely lacking at the moment. 29% of second serve points won against Chardy is worrying. Another positive though is Andy's match play: no sets dropped despite not being at his best, and he took most of his break points in his last match. He looks so canny in this tournament.

The only scoreline that I think WONT happen is Federer in three. Aside from that, I have no idea what is going to happen.

Yeah the stats arent that great....i agree...and whilst i thought Andy upped his performance...i felt there was some gaping holes such as what you mentioned.I feel that Murray ,however, has changed his mindset ....rather than focus on sustaining great tennis stats...he is intelligently selecting what are the 'big' points and increasing his intensity for those. It was very effective at the US open and his performances thus far seem parallel to those.

Prior to the QFs I felt Andy , if he reached the SF stage would struggle against Fed. Now I sense it going 1 of 2 ways. A Fed 4 set win...or Andy reaches a level of intensity and skill that not only he hasnt shown ..but nobody else has either...and wins 3 straight.

I genuinly beleive Andy can reach a level of play that nobody has ....Fed in his prime included. It may be shown in the next few days.....but it may be at wimbledon...but its coming i reckon.